FEU Alumni gathering and heritage award
FEU Campus Ground
Last Saturday was the Far Eastern University Annual Alumni Christmas Get-Together at the FEU grounds. I’m not really keen on going on these events but since this is the 2nd time I got invited by a friend of mine, I decided to check it out. I also invited some FEU alumnis who I work with and see what was happening that day. And to add to that, it’s my chance to go around on a nostalgic walk along the campus and see for myself how my good ol’ university got a UNESCO Heritage Conservation Award.
Vicente Manansala’s Sculptures
I actually arrived late here at about noon. Lunch though arrived late, they said their transpo broke down somewhere. Anyways at that time I was able to chat with some familiar faces while waiting for my colleagues. And seeing old teachers, especially my wacky photography teacher there at the gathering was really amusing. My friend B, also showed his work room at the Media Center.
National Artist Botong Francisco’s Paintings inside the Chapel
After lunch we first went to IAS (Institute of Arts and Science) where I was hoping I could get some old copies of the Transitions book. Transitions is an anthology of in-campus winning literary works both in prose and poetry. This contest is held annually and I happen to won 2 years in a row in a 3rd and Honorable Mention award in Poetry category during mid college, but never managed to get hold of a copy of my published works. But I did get the prize money though. Hehe. Anyways, the English department office was closed at that time though, so i didn’t get a copy. My friend J, texted her English professor in case there are still copies available, we’ll just be informed
Art Deco Stairs at the side of the Administration building
We went back to the Campus Grounds as B started to tour us around, narrating how the University received its awards. Starting from the middle of the university where we can find National Artist Vicente Manansala’s Sculptures. Manansala is popularly known as a painter so its a treat to see his very rare sculptured works here.
At the nearby chapel we could also find more works from another National Artist Botong Francisco. His colorful Murals adorn the chapel walls.
Administration building Lobby
And foremost reason why FEU got an award? It has the largest ensemble of Art Deco architecture that survives in Manila today. You’ll just have to look at the stairs outside the buildings and see for yourself. They’re pure artwork! The main brain behind this artistic genius is Architect Pablo Antonio.
Administration building new hallway at the upper ground
Inside the Administration Building, you’ll get to see a lot more of these styles. From the lobby’s geometric columns incorporating the FEU colors of Green and Gold (which incedentally worked for the interiors), Friezes at the walls by Italian Sculpture Monti, stairways and geometrical windows and holes. Mixing with the old are the new buildings and additional structures erected. And to make sure to follow the old styles with a touch of modern, the design was handed down by Architect Pablo Antonio Jr.
FEU New buildings housing IARFA and East Asia
And before the end of the day, we visited one of the most influential professor I had at the new FEU-EA technology hall building. Good thing he was there and we had a pleasant talk on how things are there and what is happening to his dear old students. Oh yeah the Dean there also gave us a brief tour of the new IARFA (Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts). The students there right now are so lucky they have new facilites and technology to enjoy and use.
FEU UNESCO Heritage Award
Tags: Alumni, Heritage, School, Structures, UNESCO
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Tuesday, December 12th, 2006 at 11:44 pm 
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December 13th, 2006 at 10:24 am
wow!
i wanted to tour that campus ever since the Unesco awarded them that coveted heritage plum. Another art deco gem by Antonio besides galaxy theater and manila polo club.
near FEU is gota de leche, another winner of the unesco thing.
the 3rd one is Nielson tower in Makati.
I can only see FEU from recto/quiapo
will text you again one of these days to visit those heritage gems for another unplanned photo-op
December 13th, 2006 at 10:47 am
ganda pala ng loob ng FEU ano, hanggang doon lang ako sa labas e
December 13th, 2006 at 11:13 am
awesome architecture…very unique and functional:-) great series.
December 13th, 2006 at 11:15 am
Wow, I never knew that the FEU was so beautiful. Thanks for sharing these pictures Ferdz! I didn’t know that Manansala was also a sculptor. Is he and Botong alumnis?
December 13th, 2006 at 11:31 am
Very unique building … And it looks peaceful. I like the hallway (Photo No.6) most … Hehe.
Nice photos Ferdz!
December 13th, 2006 at 11:58 am
Hidden treasures! Can you visit this place as a tourist?
December 13th, 2006 at 1:19 pm
ganda ah! parang malaki nga ang pagbabago
December 13th, 2006 at 5:26 pm
ei bro! morayta boy ka pala dati, hehehe. uste kc ako kaya kapitbahay lang. indeed, feu has an awesome architecture that few people appreciate kasi araw-araw na dinadaanan lang. it is thru posts like yours that people can become aware of such a treasure in the middle of downtown manila.
December 13th, 2006 at 6:15 pm
astig!
December 13th, 2006 at 9:03 pm
I believe Ivan Dy has a walking tour of FEU (or is it Celdran?). Nevertheless, the facade is a sight to behold amidst the squalor of its neighboring community.
You can also see it from atop the Recto Station of LRT 2 (from which you can also see the circular cells of the Manila City Jail).
December 13th, 2006 at 9:38 pm
never been in this place. but, i would love to have a tour someday.
December 14th, 2006 at 1:44 am
ganda na pala ng feu…kumusta na kaya alma mater ko?
December 14th, 2006 at 4:30 am
Wat a beautiful school. Makes you proud to be an alumni di ba?
December 14th, 2006 at 6:21 am
Very informative. I didn’t know that we actually have Unesco world heritage sites. I honestly thought you will only find them in really old cities like London or Rome. LOL! The government should really thank you for this. You are changing people’s perception about the Philippines, epecially mine!
lovely jobly.
December 14th, 2006 at 7:23 am
Wew.. nice facade.. and the interior. It’s fitting for FEU to get the said award.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:00 am
ei Dylan, it’s the Heritage Conservation Society who once organized a tour of that place led by Augusto Villalon (an architect and Inquirer columnist) but i find the tour too pricey
howling, we have UNESCO world heritage sites (4 baroque churches: paoay, sta maria, san agustin, miagao) Tubbataha, Banaue rice terraces, Subterranean river in palawan and Vigan)
FEU won the UNESCO Heritage award for outstanding conservation efforts in preserving the building, not renovating nor re-designing of the art deco style popular during the American era but not necessarily listed as world heritage sites like those enumerated above. As I earlier said, Gota de Leche in Sampaloc and Nielson tower in Makati both won them.
I will blog about the Nielson tower one of these with pictures I took just last week
December 14th, 2006 at 10:37 am
lagi ko lang nilalampasan yan FEU, never thought na ang ganda pala sa loob, husay ng architecture!
December 15th, 2006 at 4:42 am
o nga, ganda pala ng loob ng FEU..
wow, balik-tanaw yan kuya.. ang saya..
December 15th, 2006 at 5:31 am
Wow! I didn’t know that FEU was beautiful inside… Not that I ever doubted it but having that award sure is proof!
It’s nice that FEU has kept its grounds well-maintained.
Thanks for sharing
December 15th, 2006 at 6:36 am
My father and my brother Taba attended FEU!
I, too, pass by this campus often and want to go to check out and appreciate its famed art deco architecture. Now that I’m looking at your photographs, I am even more inspired to do so.
Ivan Mandy (Old Manila Walks) conducts a tour of this campus. I will check with him to see when the next one is.
Thanks for sharing!
December 16th, 2006 at 3:31 am
So I was right. I did recall Ivan Dy doing this tour but yes, HCS did it too when the University won the award.
Tutubi, too pricey?
What a way to attract tourists and photobloggers. I read Villalon. I have his book of essays. Maybe they have to raise funds for HCS or something hence the steep fee.
February 2nd, 2007 at 3:05 pm
hei der, fellow FEU, hmm how should I say this, Aficionado? hehe.. =P
well, since im an FEU stud myself too. its just that i’m a current one, and not an alumni like you.
Anyway, ur photos are great. Superb! You might even surpass those of the photos taken by the official photograpers here.
keep it up! I truly appreciate the architecture (just the design, not the admins trhere).
im an Archi Student by the way. hee-hee =P
ciao!
February 18th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
wow!
ang ganda na pala ang loob ng FEU ngayon
the ground well-maintained and its good for ROTC cadets every sunday
March 1st, 2007 at 7:56 pm
FEU deserves it!..it’s a good thing I study here and I’m proud of it! ganda ng school db!?..panatilihin natin ang kagandahan nito…
March 14th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
That open space lined with trees right at the center is a refreshing solace at the thickly populated district. Ms. L. Montinola writes about her pre and post wars memoirs of Manila that included FEU in the book “The Manila We Knew. ” The campus is a sharp contrast to your neighbor, the City Jail. Thanks for leading us to the conserved refuge in Manila.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
Seeing FEU once again brings back memores when I was a student and an active FEU-ROTC Corp of Sponsor, I was a G-4 of the Corp of Sponsors. This website is definitely awesome you can see abig difference between now and then. I am proud to say that here in Toronto, Canada FEU is recognized by the Ministry of Education. So guys out there be proud that you are a graduate of FEU because I am! I wish I was there.
January 17th, 2008 at 2:24 am
Wow! thanks for theis such great write up!
I’ll gonna tell this to my schoolmates! ^^.
Discover FEU beyond your expectations!
The oasis of U-Belt. The Green and Gold in View!
^^.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:57 am
d2 ako nag aaraL!
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:00 am
Hi, from out of the blue today, a portal is opened re Transitions wordpress website. I was too keen on touching base and so I immediately posted a comment for Prof Jess. After a few minutes as I read thoroughly the History, I caught a glimpse of an eulogy for him (june 8, 2005) on the right menu. =( So, I cured the unintentional faux pas and wrote Ms Ella Wagner thru the comment wall. I accidentally hit the close button and couldnt retrace my path. I googled but I found your blog. =D Well, like you I wanted to get copies of those Transitions books.
July 4th, 2008 at 12:16 am
ang ganda sanang mag aral dito eh..
kaso mukhang pangmayayaman lang…
ang taas masyado ng matrikula…
ang galing pa namn magturo ng mga prof dito…especially mam graciel(prof ko sa psychology dati)
dito ako nag aral ng 1st year..
kaso lumipat n ako ng 2nd year sa isang med. school..
d na kasi kaya ng parents ko ang tuition…
July 4th, 2008 at 1:00 am
The Green and gold in View… In thy happy halls… Our Young hearts saw the light!
July 4th, 2008 at 1:33 am
Far Eastern University
aims to be
a private university of choice in Asia.
Committed to the highest
intellectual, moral and cultural standards,
it strives to produce
principled and competent graduates.
It nurtures
a service-oriented community
that seeks to contribute
to the advancement of global society.
July 28th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
i’ve always wanted to take photos of feu even when i was still a student but i don’t have a digital camera at that time. your shots made me miss college days.
August 7th, 2008 at 9:12 am
hi i need some help!!! i want 2 know about ms. ruby v. vargas of feu architecture, a former Torresian of juan luna Tondo Mla. class 87 or 88 of feu. hope u can help me guys and pls forwrd any help at my email add. erosjd@yahoo.com thanks a lot!!!